Vancouver teacher asks Herrera Beutler 51 times to change gun laws

When news broke that 17 were killed Wednesday at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Paul Hamann picked up the phone and called Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, as he’s done 50 other times since 2014. He’s heard back a few times and met with Herrera Beutler once on the issue, but as the shootings and deaths continue, Hamann wants more than a formulaic response. He wants action.

“As long as there’s inaction there’s always a next one,” he said.

Hamann is an English teacher at Heritage High School. His wife also teaches. He’s worried about the lives of his two young children as well as his own. Teachers continue to sacrifice themselves to save their students and if the time came, Hamann said he would do the same.

“One thing I’ve said to the congresswoman, there’s a good chance either my wife or I would teach your kids someday. When we do that, god forbid if (shootings are) still happening then I would also be willing to throw myself in front of a bullet to save her children,” he said. “I feel like she should be willing to throw herself in front of the NRA to save mine.”

Hamann has tracked every call, email and attempt at contact he’s had with Herrera Beutler regarding gun violence and school shootings. Wanting for more, he penned a letter detailing his exhaustive experience demanding for change.

“I want to point out how emotionally expensive this has been,” he said. “When I got started I felt like I was doing my civic duty. As time went on and more and more people were killed I couldn’t stomach it anymore.”

“Despair” is the only word that comes to mind now, he added. “I know when I call, that nothing’s going to happen.”